1. “Family members are a child’s first and most important teachers
“Family members are a child’s first and most important teachers. A growing body of research demonstrates that when families are actively engaged in their child’s learning, children are better prepared for school and achieve at higher levels.” 1

2. Take mini field trips, then check out books and locate websites with information about the topic. Children (and adults) are better able to retain new information about subjects they are familiar with and can relate to (and, thus, already have an interest in) (See next slide for examples)

3. Examples that require little or no money:
Caves/caverns/waterfalls
Hikes to identify trees/leaves, rock formations, wildlife, etc. (See “What’s Happening” in THR for guided outings.)
Bird watching – use guide to identify birds
Swimming / wading in river, lake, ocean
Museums – small, obscure is OK
Art exhibits
College campuses
Zoos
Factories / Businesses (Glass factory in PJ or Corning), Crayola, print shop / newspaper publisher
Children’s Science / Discovery Centers
Planetarium
Any suggestions to add to list?

4. Read road signs and license plates out loud
Read road signs and license plates out loud. Locate places on maps you see on signs or license plates. Use road atlas to determine best driving route. Create “I Wonder” questions and possibly plan next vacation or field trip to discover answers.

5. Sing Songs While Reading Lyrics

6. Share Joke and Riddle Books
Strengthens reading skills (allows them to practice reading out loud with fluidity and accuracy)
Promotes higher order thinking skills, often requiring them to identify and recognize the implied meaning of a phrase or word, rather than its literal meaning
Encourages creative thinking

7. Read Poetry
Fun examples: Jack Prelutsky, Shel Silverstein, Bruce Lansky ( )

8. Find Local Authors and Topics
Again, making connections promotes greater interest and better retention of information about topic.
Read about the author / illustrator; read his/her work(s); discuss whether NY state is reflected in book and how; look up information about topic (Statue of Liberty, Niagara Falls)
NYS Authors and Illustrators of Books for Young People
– books  advanced search  keywords: “new york”  subject: “children’s books”

9. Read and Follow Directions
Read and Follow Directions. Build models (airplane, car, ship), make a birdhouse, cook something new by finding and following a recipe, or perform any other craft / activity that requires reading and following directions. Suggestions?

10. From www. atyourlibrary. com : “Make storytime delicious
From : “Make storytime delicious! Ask a children’s librarian to recommend a book with a food theme. Read the book together at home and follow it by snacking on a food that was featured in the book.”
Examples:
Green Eggs & Ham (Dr. Seuss)
Bread & Jam for Frances (Hobarth)
The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Carle)
Strega Nona (DePaola)
Too Many Tamales (Soto)
Blueberries for Sal (McCloskey)
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (Barrett)
Eating the Alphabet: Fruits and Vegetables from A to Z (Ehlert)
Vegetables We Eat (Gibbons)
Ten Apples Up on Top (Dr. Seuss)
M&M's Brand Chocolate Candies Math (McGrath)
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, …Moose a Muffin, …Pig a Pancake (Numeroff)

11. Go to The Library
Roscoe Free Public Library (and other libraries in area that are part of the Ramapo Catskill Library System)
Pre-School Books by theme:
(Most books listed are appropriate for PK-2)

12. RESULTS OF SURVEY Favorite Books as a Child
*Chosen by More Than One Person:
*Harry the Dirty Dog
*Dr. Seuss
*Goodnight Moon
*Stone Soup
Ferdinand the Bull
Poky Little Puppy
If you Give a Mouse a Cookie
Are You My Mother?
I Was So Mad
James & the Giant Peach
Nancy Drew series

13. Read to Their Children and Their Children’s Favorites
Dr. Seuss
Goodnight Moon
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
Nursery Rhymes
Rainbow Fish
Guess How Much I Love You
Cat in the Hat
It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny
The Giving Tree & Shel Siverstein poetry

14. Your Child’s Library Books
The books your child chooses reflect his or her interests.
If can’t read the books, note topics
Encourage curiosity by drawing attention to environmental prompts related to that topic throughout the week.
(See next slide for examples)

15. These discussions can be had anywhere at anytime and can last from a few seconds to as long as it stays interesting – should not turn into a lecture
Example: “Statue of Liberty”
Example: “Dogs”
Note examples of:
Freedom (use term “liberty”)
Immigrants
Cultural differences
France / Europe / countries / continents / Atlantic Ocean
Statues
Different types of dogs
Genes - animal / human differences
Compare mammals / birds / amphibians / reptiles / insects / plants, etc.
Compare dogs / cats / pets
Domestication
Habitats

16. Use books as a springboard for discussion and to ENCOURAGE CURIOSITY
Wonder
Find
Answers
Share Information

17. “Where do you think we can find out?”
“Let’s find out…”
“Let’s look it up…”
“Where do you think
we can find out?”

18. “Children whose home experiences promote the literacy scene as a source of entertainment are likely to be motivated to read.” 2
fun
Reading should be not a chore.

19. Roderick, Deborah. “Engaged Families, Effective Pre-K; State Policies that Bolster Student Success,” PEW Center on the States: Education Reform Series (July 2010).
Anderson, Sherlie A. "How Parental Involvement Makes A Difference in Reading Achievement." Reading Improvement 37.2 (2000): 61. Academic OneFile. Web. 24 July 2011.